A time travel trope along with a serial killer detective plot. Need I say more? If you have read my recent blog posts, you know I am obsessed with time travel stories. Hence, when I came across an anime that had all the tropes I love, I had to watch it. Erased also known as Boku dake ga Inai Machi has been quite an entertaining anime series and I highly recommend it.
SYNOPSIS
Struggling manga author Satoru Fujinuma is beset by his fear to express himself. However, he has a supernatural ability of being able to prevent deaths and casualties by being sent back in time before an incident occurrs, repeating time until it is prevented. One day, he is involved with an incident with his mother. Desperate to prevent the incident, he gets sent back in time only to find himself as a grade-schooler. Satoru brings himself to a new journey; using his abilty to prevent the past from changing into a deplorable future.
THOUGHTS
Time Travel to Your Childhood
Satoru has the ability to constantly go back in time when something life threatening happens. He calls it Revival and he used this ability to save lives . Let’s just say, a lovely premise and fairly good execution.
My only complain was they did not switch back into the adult timeline too often. However, I precisely loved how the character notices the hundred things he did not do as a kid. That was a lovely perspective to watch!
The Love Sub-Plot & Mom- Son Relationship
There is a very minor love subplot between 29 year old Satoru and his college going colleague at a pizzeria. It was cute and mushy overall, but I really hoped that was explored a bit more.
Also, I loved how he valued his Mom when he went back to being a kid. Loved that typical sentiment that was portrayed where you realize your Mom is your best friend and she has always been.
Additionally, I Also loved the friendship explored. Each character was distinct and the adult timeline where they all come meet him and have this little friendship moment was so well done. How beautiful it is to have some long lasting friendship afterall.
Serial Killer – Thriller
We have Satoru trying to save his childhood friends from a serial killer that ended up killing his Mom too. Maybe it’s because I am fairly new to watching thrillers in Anime, but I totally did not see the signs of who the killer was.The ending of how he ends up catching the serial killer is totally bad ass as well.
RATING
Family Friendly?
Even though, this is a cartoon and the protagonist has time traveled to being a kid, the narration and the subject matter covered is much mature. It’s a psychological thriller, with a few – “adult will understand what it means” scenes
If you loved this :
WATCH THIS – Train – It’s not exactly similar. but it has a time travel detective and a serial killer. Also, the love sup plot in this is much deeply explored.
DETAILS
Genre: Anime, Drama, Fantasy
Language: Japanese
No Of Episodes: 12